Blocking attachment for strip-mills.



G. H. BENIAMIN.

BLOCKING ATTACHMENT FOR STRIP MILLS.

. APPLICATION FILED FEB-15,19I5.

G. H. BENIAIVIIN.

BLOCKING ATTACHMENT FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I5. 1915. l l 9 Patented Aug. 27, 1918..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. H. BENJAMIN.

BLOCKING ATTACHMENT FR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I5, I9I5.

l ,277.029, Patented Aug. 27', 1918,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. H. BENJAMIN.

BLOCKING ATTACHMENT FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.15.1915.

1,2??0-29. Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

w @y w sfrans BLOCKING- ATTACHMENT FOR STRIP-MILLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented aug. 27, raie.

Application filed February 15, 1915. Serial No. 8,405.

To all whom t may concern:

fBe it known that I, GEORGE I-IILLARD BEN- JAMIN, a citizen of the Untied States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Blocking vAttachment for Strip-Mills, of which the following is va specification.

My invention consists in an automatic blocking attachment, adapted to be used in connection with the rolls of a strip mill.

The objects of my invention are:

First: To do away with the use of removable blocks by substi-tu-ting a Xed, collapsible block.

Second: To provide means for automatically guiding a strip, after passing the rolls of a strip mill, on to and around the block.

Third: To provide means whereby a constant tension shallbe exerted on the strip as it passes from the strip mill to the block.

Fourth: To provide means for automatically separating the guiding means from the bloc-k, and allow automatic discharge of the(` coiled strip from the block.

Automatic blocking attachments for strip mills have hertofore been used, but so far as I am aware, have always been provided with removable blocks, and further, no means have been provided for exerting a constant tension upon the strip as it passes from the strip mill to the block.

In my improved device, the removable block is done away with, and there is substituted a collapsible block, which receives the strip from the strip mill, and when the block is full, it is collapsed to automatically discharge the strip from the block.

In blocking attachments as usually made,

the shaft wlich carries the block is run at a given speed, with the result, that as the strip vis wound upon the block, the diameter of the coiled strip is increased, which, owing to increase in peripheral speed, increases the tension exerted upon the'strip as the strip rolls are also run at a given speed, and therefore feed the strip at a uniform rate.

In my improved device, the speed of the shaft which carries the block, is decreased by appropriate means indirect proportion as the diameter of the coiled strip increases, and thus provision is made for a constant tension upon the strip. One of the advantages of my improved construction, is that the blocking attachment may be used both for coiling and blocking, which in the present practice, is usually performed by two separate devices.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention, in which Figure 1 is a plan view and partial horizontal section taken on the line I I of Fig. 3, this figure also showing in plan, the relation of the blocking attachment to the strip rolls. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing va modification of the mechanism employed to drive and regulate the speed of the block. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line IV IV of Fig. 3 of the blocking attachment and also a transverse section taken through the strip rolls. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the same line as Fig. 4, and showing the controlling means for the device which guides the strip side frames in which the rolls are vmounted in the usual manner.

Situated in front of thevrolls 1 2 are two guides, 4 and 5. The guide 4 is fixed in position, and the guide 5, which is located under it, is pivoted at 6. Situated under the forward part of this guide is a spring 7 which tends to press the guide upward. The object of pivoting the guide 5 is to permit the forward end of the guide to move downward, as the strip indicated at 8, is wound upon the block 9. The positions of the guide, when the strip is first fed to the block and as wound on the block, are indicated respectively in Figs. 4 and 5.

The construction of the rolls 1 2, frame 3 3, guides 4 5, is substantially the same as that which has heretofore been used, and forms no part ofmy invention, except in so far as the guides coperate with the blocking attachment. rThe blocking attachment is situated in front of .the strip rolls 1 2, and consists of a frame 10, the upper part of which is provided with bearings 11-12 for atubular shaft 13. -The'r'ear end of this shaft is connected to a source of power, as

will hereinafter be described, by reason of which the shaft 13 is driven. The front end of this shaft is connected to a block 9. The block 9 consists essentially of a Wheel le, around the outer circumference of Which is pivoted at 15, a series'of arms 16. The arms 16 are so shaped that in one position (i. e., in the blocking position shown in Fig. 1) the free ends of the arms will collectively form a circular block to receive the strip 3, and

in another position c., the discharging position shown in F ig. 6) the free ends of the arms will form a cone-shaped body, from Which the Wound strip 3 Will be dis charged by gravity. Motion is imparted to the arms 16, to take the first or second posie. tions, as described, through the instrumentalitv of a rod 17, Which is located Within block, will cause the arms to be moved from y the position shown in 6 to the position shown in Fig. 1. During the last part of the forward movement of disk 16, the periphery thereof will be bearing against sur faces 21 formed on the arms 16, and will thereby serve to support the arms, while the strip 6 is being Wound thereon. 1v1/.Then the shaft 17 and disk 13 are moved backvvard, the disk 16, by taking against shoulders 22 formed on the arms 16,` will cause the arms to be moved from the position shown in Fig. 1. to the position shovvn in Fig. 6. To impart motion to the lever 19, and thereby reciprocate the rod 17, a grooved cam 23 is provided. @n an arm 2d forming part of the mechanism controlling the rod 1?, is a pin 25, riding in the cam groove 26; the canA 23 -is loosely mounted upon a shaft 27, which shaft receives its motion from the source of power which Will hereinafter be described.

Mounted on the shaft 27 in front of the cam, is a clutch device Thisv clutch device is actuated by an arm 29 which is secured to a rock-shaft 30 having a lever 31 secured thereto. @n one end of lever 31 is a handle 32, and the other end of the lever is connected by a link 33 to an arm 3L-on the end of the shaft 35, which has its bearings in the frame 10 at 36. @n the end of the shaft 35 'is secured a trigger 37. A spring 38 normally holds the lever 31 in the position shown in Fig. 3.

1t will be understood that by moving thc lever 31 in one direction, the portion of the clutch on the shaft V27 Will be brought into naat/,ceo

engagement with the portion of the clutch on the cam `23, and thus the cani will be rotated by the shaft. lNhen the cam is rotated in one direction, the pin 25 moves in the cam groove 26, with the effect that the rod 17 and the arms 16 are moved from the position shown in. Fig. 1 Lto the position shown in Fig. 6; and further, that if the clutch 23 is thrown out when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 6, by movementof the lever 31 in the opposite direction by means of spring' 33, they Will remain in that position until the clutch is again throvvn to eftectengagement of its parts, when the rotation of the cam 23 will cause the pin 25 to move in the other half of the cam groove 26, and cause a movement of the parts from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shoivn in Fig. 1, when, if the clutch is again 'thrown out, the parts will remain in the position shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of the trigger 37, Which is actuated simultaneously with the clutch, will hereinafter be described in connection with the parts -with Which it coperates.

The mechanism used for guiding the metal str'p around the block is as follows: -Frojecting horizontally from the top of frame 19 of the machine, is an arm 39. lvLlounted on this arm is a roller 10 which is free to rotate on a shaft 11 carrying links These links .at their lower ends` are pivotally connected with one of a series of shafts e13 carrying a series -of rollers #141 which are connected together by links 415.

Eleven of such shafts and rollers are shoivn Fivoted to the shaft on which the first roller of the series is journaled, is a shaped guide plate L16 carrying a shaft L17 on Which is journaled a large roller 13. Connected to the shaft on which the`V last roller of the series is journaled is a shaped guide plate lr-9, carrying two rollers 56-51- Connected to the guide plate L16 are links 52. These links at their lower ends are pivotally connected to levers 53, secured to one end of a shaft 5e having its bearings 55 in frame 10. Connected also to the shaft 521 is a lever 56. The levers 5 3 and 56 are substantially at right angles; and connected to the lovverA end. of the lever 56 is a link 57, pivotally connected at 56 to a shaped arm 59 which is secured to one end of a rock-shaft 60. Se-A cured tothe other end of rock-shaft 60 is another shaped arm 59 having a handle 61 secured thereto (see Fig. 3).

Forming part of the guide plate 49 is a frame 62, Which frame is adapted to coact, when the parts are in thev position shown 1n Figs. L1 and with the trigger 37. 0n the end of the frame 62 is a cross-bar 63, which bar is adapted to move in a shaped cam slot 641, formed in the main frame 10. The positions of the rollers, arms and links, as described, vvhen the strip'is fed to the block,

l pins 72, disposed on opposite sides of a belt 73 which passes over the cone pulleys 7 4-.75.

aaraoee with a rack bar 67 in engagement with a' pinion 68 mounted on a shaft 69. Mounted also on "this shaft is a second pinion 70 in engagement with a rack bar 71. This rack bar is provided with horizontally extending Cone pulley 74 issecured to a shaft 76 forming part of the hollow shaft 13, and having its bearings in the frame 10, and pulley 75 is secured to shaft 27 which also has its bearings in the frame 10. Secured to the shaft 27, is a driving pulley 77 (Figs. 1 and 3) which may be connected with any suitable source of power, or alternatively atrain of gears 7 8-7 9 ma be employed, connected to a suitable variable speed motor 80, connected to any source of electrical energy, as shown in Fig. 2. L

In Figs. 1, 3 and 6, means are provided for driving the blocker at a variable speed in accordance with the number of layers of strip wound on the block, by shifting a belt over the cone pulleys, in a manner well understood, and in Fig. 2 through the instrumentality of a variable speed motor which may be of any construction. 1 have shown two methods of driving, as 1 wish it understood thatl may use eithermcthod, as may be most convenient.

ln the construction shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, the belt shifting is eected by the movement of the shaft 54, which movementv is imparted through the levers and links connected to the train of rollers 44 and 50-51, and the horizontally moving rack bar 65, pinions 68 and 70, and rack bar 71. The positions occupied by the lever 65 are illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 by dotted lines.

By reference to Figs. 4 and 5 it will be seen that as the strip 8 is wound upon the v block, the rollers 50-51 are held in position under the block by the frame 62 in engagement with the trigger 37, and'that when the trigger 37 is released by reason of movement imparted to the lever 31, which acts to throw the parts of the'clutch 28 into engagement with the cam 23, the frame 62 will be released, causing it and the series of rollers 44 and 50-51 to take the position shown in Fig. 7, or in other words, are separated from the block, thereby permitting the coiled strip-to be discharged from the block.

To restore the f series of rollers 44 and 50-51 to their original-position as shown in Fig. 4, the handle61 is used. When this handle is use, the shaped arms 59 are moved forward and upward,an(d by taking against the ends of shafts on whichrollers 50-51 are journaled, carry the frame 62V with them, thereby causing the cross-bar 63 of frame 62 to make a downward movement inthe cam slot 64, until the end ofthe frame passes and is engaged by the trigger 37. It will thus be seen that the series of rollers 44 and; 50-51 have a double function, z'. e., to guide the strip 8 around the block, and as the dicoil is increased, actuate the levers to move the belt shifting device to a position wherethe speed of rotaon of shaft 13 will be decreased in proportion to the increased diameter, thereby maintaining aconstant pull or torque upon the strip as it is wound upon:

ameter of the coil or number of layers of the the block. Manifestly, if the method of l driving shown in Fig. 2 is employed, the rear portion of the shaft 54, lever 65 and belt shifting device, ma be dispensed with, as the regulation of tlsie motor is inherent in the motor and does not require the action. of

Aexterior means to effect a change of speed.

It will be obvious, lthat instead of using a variable speed motor, any motor may be employed, and -the device disclosed as a belt shifting device used to vary resistance, or otherwise, to change the speed of the motor. 1 wish it understood that 1 do not limit myself to the specific features of the mechanism of the collapsible block, strip guiding means, speed governing means, etc., as these may be considerably varied without departing from my invention. I make this statement, as 1 believe I am the first to describe the employment of a collapsible block, a de vice for guiding the strip around the block, z'. e., a device which will not only guide the strip but indicate the thickness of the wound coils upon the block and thus determine the speed of rotation of the block, and which may also be separated from the block, but permit automatic discharge of the wound strip from the block; and the means disclosed whereby the speed of rotation of the i block is varied in accordance with the thickis given to the block and a constant torque exerted upon the strip as it is wound on the block.

Connected to the shaft 27 is a gear 81 1n mesh with a gear 82 mounted on shaft 83, having its bearings in frame 10. Connected to the shaft 83 is a bevel gear 84 in mesh with a large bevel gear 85 on a shaft .86. To shaft 86 is secured a drum 87 over wh1ch passes a moving belt 88, which may be formed of wire or other material, and which acts to receive the wound strip or coil 8 when `discharged from the machine, and to convey it from the machine. The last described conveying mechanism forms no 'part of the machine and is described merely to lllustrate -means for conveying the coil from the machine after it leaves the block.

rllhe operation of the blocking attachment is as follows: The strip El is passed through the rolls l 2 and then through 'the guides 1 5 tothe block 9. TW hen the end of the strip reaches the block, it is caught between the rollers 50 5l and the block, and moves with and on to the block. N hen the end ot the strip reaches the roller l and the shaped plate lb, it is Vguided into position between the surface ol the block and the advancing` strip. As the strip is Wound upon the block, its diameter is increased, and as the peripheral speed or the blocli with the coil thereon Will be greater than the peripheral speed of the block Without the coil, it Will be understood that unless some means were provided or decreasing,1 'the peripheral speed, the torque exerted by the block upon 'the strip would be greater than needed for compact Winding,J1 or the strip as it is regularly 'fed from the strip rolls 1 2.

As the dian eter of the strip rolled upon the block increases, the rollers el and 9 5l are pressed outward from the bloclr, While still maintaining their general position as regards the block. lt will be' seen on reerence to Fig. that the series ot rollers are supported by a roller et) and links e2, Which are movable along the horizontal arm 39 of the frame l0. The linlrs e2 serve to support the series of rollers ell, and as the diameter of the coil is increased, the links change their position, from that shown in Fig. el to that shown in llig. 5; same time, shaped plate el@ is lited from the position shownv in Fig. Llto 'the position shown in Fig. 5, and carries with it the links 52 which make traction upon the levers 53, thereby moving shaft bel, lever 56, linlr 57, and arms 59; the change in'position or these parts being respectively shown in el and 5. At the same time the movement of y 'lever 3l through .the handle 32, 'the handle being moved upward, rl`he movement ot the lever causes the tvvo parts or the clutch 28 to engage, and thus establishes connection between the shaft 27 and the cam 23. The cam 23 will then be rotated, and the cam groove 26 will move the pin 2l. This motion is transmitted through suitable mechanism (consisting or" a lever and ringr connection, such asis commonly used) to rod l', thereby moving the rod from the position shown in lig. l to the position shown inl his. 6. At the same time, the movement or the lever 3l, transmitted through the linlr 33 and arm Sel, gives motion to shalt 35 and trigger 3? and releases llt the lnrame 62. rEhe .cross-bar 63 ot frame 62 then moves upward in the shaped cam slot 6l from the position shovvn in Fig. et to the position shown in Fifa. 7, which allows the rollers 50 5l and three of 'the series of `ollers #le to assume a vertical position rela- 4ive to the bloclr 9, or in other Words, clears l e block and thus permits the discharge i om the block of the coiled strip 8 by gravity, as illustrated in Figs.. and 7. As the coiledstrip' falls, it is received upon the moving belt 88, Which carries it from the machine.

"When the coil has left the machine, the operator moves the handle 82 downward to bring the parts ol the block to the position shown in Fig. l, and also moves'the handle 5l to move the arms 59 from the position shown in Figs. 5 and into the position shown in Fig. Ll. es these arms are moved upward, the link 57, levers 53 and 56, shaft bei, lever 65 and pinions orn the belt shifter, are actuated to shift the belt from the p0- sition shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. l. ,et the same time, the frame (32 moves downward. rllhis is due to the tact that the arms 59 take against the ends ot shalt on which rollers 50 5l are journaled, which causes the cross-bar e3 of the frame 82 'to move downward in the cam slot 6l and into engagement -with the trigger 37.

lt will be seen from the above description, that 'the arms l@ orn the block 9 are under the control of the operator, Aand can be moved trom the position shown in Fig. l to theV 'position shown in Fig. 6, and vice versa, through the action ot the clutch 28; and further, that the position of the guiding rolls follows the movement ot the clutch, except in so :tar as they are hand operated to move them from the discharging position to the ceiling position. Having thus described my invention, l claim l. ln a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a revolvingblock, a single series ot' connected rollers arranged around the block, means permitting the rollers to change their position as regards the block as the strip is Wound on the block, and means for removing the rollers from around tne bloclr to allow the passage of the Wound strip from the block.

-2. ln a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a revolvingcollapsible block, a single series of connected rollers arranged around 4the block, means permitting the rollers to change their position as regards the blocln as the strip is Wound on 'the block, and means for removv.

ing the rollers from around lthe block to allow the 'passage of the Wound strip from the block,

5. ln a blocking attachment for strip mils the combination 'of a revolving` block,

a series of rollers disposed around the block, a series of pivoted links acting to connect and support the rollers, means Whereby the rollers may change their position as regards the block as the strip is wound on the block, and means for removing the roller out of relation to the block to alloW the discharge of the Wound strip from the block. y

4:. In a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a block formed of a series of pivoted arms, means for directing and guiding a strip around the block', together with means for alternately altering the position of the pivoted arms to permit the strip to be wound on the block, and the coiled strip to be discharged from the block.

5. In a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a revolving collapsible block, means for directing and guid. ing a strip aro-und and upon the surface of lthe block, said means consisting of a series of rollers mounted in pivoted links and inclosing the major portion of the periphery of the block When in position, means for separating thel rollers from the block to allow discharge of the coiled strip from the block, and means for actuating said separable means.

6. In combination With the rolls of a strip mill, a collapsible rotatable block situated in front of said rolls, a series of rollers, pivoted links connecting the rollers, means for separating the rollers from the block, and means for changing the configuration of the surface of the block to permit discharge of the coiled strip from the block.

7 In a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a revolving block, said block consisting of a ring shaped frame, L-shaped arms pivoted to said frame, a reciprocating rod situated centrally of the pivoted arms, wherebyk the arms are caused to take defined positions; guiding means for a strip arranged around the periphery of said block and exterior to the arms, together with means for reciprocating the rod to change the position of the' arms and to change the position of the guiding means relative to the arms.

8. In a blocking attachment for strip mills, the combination of a revolving collapsible block, means for directing and guiding a strip around the black, means for varying the speed of rotation of the block, and means interposed between the directing and guiding means and the speed varying means for controlling the speed of rotation of the block,

9. In a blocking attachment for strip mills, a collapsible block constructed in such a manner, that in one position the block will present a cylindrical surface upon which a strip may be wound, and in another position a V-shaped surface to permit gravital discharge ofthe Wound strip from the block,

together with means to actuate the parts of the block to alternately present the desired cylindrical and V-shaped surfaces.

10. In a blocking attachment for strip mills, a revolving collapsible block, said block having parts which in one position will present a cylindrical surface of a delined diameter upon Which a strip may be Wound, and in another position present a surface of decreasing'diameters from Within outward from Which. the Wound strip may be discharged, together with means for actuating the movable parts of the block to present the surfaces as described.

In testimony whereof, I aiX my signature,

Witnesses:

HELEN E. KoELscH, HARRY TERHUNE. 

